SANFORD - Diane Glover, retiring executive director of the Central Carolina Community College Foundation, was honored at the foundation's 2012 Scholarship Luncheon Nov. 16 in the Dennis A. Wicker Civic Center.

Glover is retiring as of Jan. 1, after serving as foundation director since 2003 and the assistant director for two years prior to that.

Ed Garrison, a member of the foundation's board of directors and former college trustee, said, "We owe Diane a big, big debt of gratitude for what she has done for the college and students."

He noted that, under her leadership, the college's scholarship endowments have grown from $1.5 million to $3.5 million and the total amount of scholarships awarded from $60,000 to $175,000. She also led the fund-raising effort that provided money to put seats in the college's gym.

During her tenure, the college has received major gifts, including a $335,000 gift from the Louise L. Tuller Trust. In gratitude, the college named its nursing program the Louise L. Tuller School of Nursing.

The tribute caught Glover by surprise.

"I didn't expect this at all," she told the gathering of almost 300 scholarship donors and recipients. "I appreciate all that you donors have done for the college and the students. I couldn't have done any of this without you. I will miss each and every one of you."

Investment advisor Kel Normann has worked with Glover in investing the donations received by the Foundation.

"I've seen the great passion Diane has in learning how to be the best she could be," Normann told the gathering. "She was passionate in protecting the foundation's assets, communicating with the donors, and making sure that the assets were available to the students. She leaves tough shoes to fill."

Following the tribute, the audience saw a digital slide show depicting a few of the many events and activities that Glover has been involved in during her years at the college, interspersed with family photos.

CCCC President Bud Marchant presented her with a vase of flowers engraved with "Upon your retirement, we wish you new beginnings and happy memories."

"Diane will always carry Central Carolina Community College in her heart," he said.

Then all at the luncheon stood and applauded Glover in gratitude for what she has done for the college and the students for whom receiving a scholarship could mean the difference between attending college or not.

The CCCC Foundation is a 501(c)(3) charitable organization affiliated with, but independent of, Central Carolina Community College. It receives donations of money and equipment on behalf of CCCC and uses them to promote the educational mission of the college and assist students through scholarships and grants.

For information on establishing scholarships or endowments, contact CCCC Foundation Executive Director Diane Glover (through Dec. 31), 919-718-7231 or dglover@cccc.edu, or Associate Director Emily Hare, 919-718-7230 or ehare@cccc.edu.